I just wanna say this is why art has its own value beyond ages because all the artist did do their brilliant job and passion that money can’t buy, this is a masterpiece
What a lovely thing to say. And youre right, a lot of it is to do with having massive passion for what we illustrate. Im so pleased that shines through. thanks.
Amazing artist. Many botanical books use Lizzie as an illustrator Her skill is superb and her relaxed way of teaching is both inspiring and informative. . So enjoyable to know lots of people will now Develop their work through these great tutorials. I am wonderfully clumsy so appreciate her very much. THANKYOU
Oh my goodness Karol, thank you so much! That's a real vote of confidence. Yes, i do hope that these films make botanical illustration entirely accessible to anyone who fancies having a go, and I'm so pleased you like my approach and films. Thanks you. x
I really love your real time videos. My art teacher retired, and I miss being in the studio creating together. This is the next best thing during this pandemic. You are performing a valuable service. Thank you so, so much!
Lizzie, you are a breath of fresh air! How do I say this...I think you are hilarious but I mean that in a really good way. Maybe it’s more that you are so unpolished and real. Any less-than-perfect technical issues in the video are more than forgiven because you are so giving in the process! I feel that, as you are demonstrating, you are sharing a completely unedited of your internal dialog with us. And on top of it all, you are so very talented at what you do. Thank you so much! I will be looking at and learning from your other videos. Please keep them coming and don’t change a thing! I’m a retired graphic designer/teacher with an art background but I’m not familiar with the botanical art process. It’s a new area of interest to me and I’ve been looking at a lot of resources online and otherwise. You are my favorite!
...and you flatter me enormously! But I'm very glad to hear such lovely and positive things. I really do appreciate it. It's all rather embarrassing, but in the best possible way. And yes, as and when I get the chance I assuredly WILL keep the films coming. Hopefully a little more in focus and with rather less hair under the camera...
You had me burst laughing at the sudden confession of licking the brush... Love the unedited and spontaneous nature of the video. I usually watch videos of the kind at x2 speed, but here I enjoyed every second. Thank you so much, it's fun to watch and very inspirational.
I appreciate that! I'm relieved I don't come across as pretentious, not sure my family would agree! And as with anything, you've got to laugh at yourself, right, specially when you mess things up... Glad you liked the video, and thank you for such a nice comment. x
Lizzie love love love you and your work! I’m going to Google search you to see if you have books or online classes or anything! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your skills and talents with us. I’ve been looking for someone with a certain style and found you and I am so happy!
Hi Julie, no books or online classes as yet, but a whole slew of step by step blogs. The teaching really is a side line, so it's less consistent than would be ideal. I do bits between paid jobs, there's just so very much paid work on right now! It's great, but the idea of online classes etc does end up suffering.... Thanks for such a lovely comment. x
i love that you work dark to light and yes i did notice the truth, you start in the mid tones ;) . i came to watercolors from acrylic and have struggled with the concept of building layers to get the darker areas. i also noticed you start off very dry and then progressively get the petals wetter to blend the colors as you go. this is a prime example of why i fallow so many different artists with different styles. you are perhaps the fifth artist i have added to my watching list and everyone has something done differently from the others. all of it wonderful and some of it feels natural and some challenges me to try but it always inspires me to keep painting and trying new things.
Hi Silversong, what a perceptive comment. I've recently been listening to talks by a range of Botanical artists, hosted by Julia Trickey: www.juliatrickey.co.uk/talks.html and these have been exactly as you describe. Amazing people with stunning skill sets, and all doing things slightly differently. I've learnt loads about colour matching, showing transparency, and balancing cool and warm shadows; just by listening in. And you're wise to collect different approaches from different illustrators, it's such a good way of extending your "tool kit". Glad my methods are a part of this, and yes, I do indeed go from dry brush to wetter and wetter brush. When I next get round to making another film Ill have to point that out! Thanks for your comment, and enjoy the transition from acrylic to watercolour. x
My goodness what a wonderful accolade! I really appreciate that. Anna Mason creates such beautiful work, she's a great source of knowledge. Glad you liked my film. x
I come from an oil painting background where we work dark to light. THANK YOU for showing that its okay to do the same here, light to dark has always been such a challenge for me!
You are so welcome! It's not traditional to do it this way, but Im not clever enough to balance all that visual info in my head if I do it the other way around! Well done trialling watercolours, coming from an oil background. Ive always been terrified of oils! Well done. x
My goodness! Aren’t you just a hoot & a half! Love LOVE what you’re doing here with the gorgeous underrated Zinnia. I have been obsessed with botanical art since a wee child, I don’t know why, I just have always loved it & of course amazed at the artistry. I’m slowly learning & getting into painting in general, but this video is just screaming at me to AT LEAST get back to my botanical colouring water colour pad my mother gave me. It has a light printed pencil line & as you imagine you can paint over it just like you’re doing here. .... The way you work dark first is instinctively how I started with water colour so I understand your process & WOW your results are proof that there is no right way or wrong way to paint. You’ve breathed LIFE into that flower and subsequently into ME! I want to get back to that botanical pad I mentioned & I will continue to enjoy your videos. Thankyou so much🙏☺️🙋 From Aus ☮️💟
Oh what a fabulolus message! I am so pleased that me doing my thing has helped inspire you to get back to doing your thing, too! That's the best possible result, thank you. And thanks for the message. Enjoy your painting!
Oh the joys of being a thoroughly amateur film maker! Upside down or right way up, as long as I'm painting vivid pinks, I'm a happy lady! Thanks for the comment. x
Just recently found out I had cadmium poisoning because like you as a child, I licked my brush. Not enough to kill me, but it is an issue of heavy metal poisoning in the brain! Love your work. Writing from Alaska ❤
Ohhhhhh. Trish Lee, that doesn't sound fun! I hope you're ok. You're the first person I've heard of who has had this, nothing else made me even thin about trying to stop sucking my brushes....but you just have. Hoping it's not had too much of an impact on you. And thanks for the warning! Yours Lizzie
I have only just recently found your channel and may I tell you that you are absolutely amazing!! I am a New Hampshire (US) gal who, at 65 years young, has begun painting again after almost 30 years. You are such an inspiration. I find each and every video that I have been so fortunate to have seen, each one more mesmerizing than the last. In addition to your incredible talent, you are a phenomenal teacher. Your honesty and your sense of humor are such a breath of fresh air. I feel so very fortunate to be one of your newest subscribers!
Deborah, what a lovely comment to get! Thank you. I am so glad my films work for you, it's lovely to hear such cheerful and flattering feedback. If it gets you to feel more confident about your return to art, then Ive succeeded. So lovely to have you along, and thanks for subscribing!
Potato/potato about the petals. I agree with Rachel Walton about the added info. I love the botany lesson. Gives you so much more insight in the beauty of the flower.
@@labellaflora.... You are totally right. There are ray florets and disk florets. I need to be much more careful when I do the botany bits - it#s easy to be unclear when I witter on and paint simultaneously, but I'd hate to be giving out wrong information, which in this case I have done. Thanks for clarifying my ramblings! Note to self: Botany bit needs to be done without a paintbruish in my hand so I can be sure to get it right. Thanks labellaflora and thanks buildahome too. xx
God bless you 🙏 Ms. Harper. I am a super beginner watercolourist and watching your detailed explanations was the best class I could have had. I found your video quite by chance and I am delighted and thankful🌈💕💖🌈
Just found your work and am inspired and fascinated with your process. I have always worked from reference photographs and on cold-press paper, but just placed an order based on your recommendations and will go out and buy some fresh flowers to work from once it arrives! Until then will catch up on your other content...
I love watching her! She teaches botanical paintings so well! I have a botany based degree and I love doing drawings and now I’m doing painting bc of her! I also want to create Lizzie a color chart for her paints!!!! Lol!
Hey Ashley Lovely to hear from you. Im so glad your embracing your love for botany in a way that gets you drawing and painting, how excellent! its such a good way to learn flowers, I find. And you are SOOO right about me needing a colour chart. Actually, not even a colour chart. I just need to start from scratch with my pans and actually know and remember the name of each paint, instead of saying, "oh, its the 3rd blue on the left, next to the brown colour!" which isnt useful for anyone who doesnt have my exact paintbox! Thanks for the comment and have a great day X
I just found your video. It's been an absolute pleasure watching you. I've painted lots of florals but not with the approach of a trained botanical artist. I am more accustomed to utilizing wet-in-wet approaches to allow for smooth blending, so it's really fascinating to watch a completely different attack on painting, which what I see in your work is very precise, small wet-on-dry brush marks. It's almost like your paint brush is a pencil or marker, instead. You gave me a lot of laughs in watching you tackle all the same problems all watercolorists have - adding too much blue to your mix, smudging your paint by putting your hand on a wet spot, experiencing paint blooms, etc. Thanks for reminding us that even experts have the same challenges novices do.
Hi Kelly Yes, that's exactly right. I use the brush a bit like a marker or pencil, then the wet washes bring it all together. Its not the traditional way of doing botanical illustration, though. That's more to do with layers of wet washes, getting darker and more detailed as you progress. Which sounds like what you're already used to. Ive watched splendid illustrators like Julia Trickey using this approach and it's wonderful. I come at it back to front, sort of. But Im really glad you like the videas and are interested in giving my method a go. Let me knwo how you get on, and I hope it works for you. Yours Lizzie
Thank you so so much... I have been trying to learn botanicals since so long.. but no one has uploaded such detailed video on botanical with tips and tricks.. thanks a ton really I thank you with all my heart... keep uploading more such videos.. lots of love from India 🙏
This is such a lovely comment, I really appreciate it. I think other illustrators like Anna Mason and Julia Trickey do real time films too, but it's comments like this that help inspire me to do more real-time step by steps. Its lovely to hear such positive feedback, thank you.
I have popped around to different sites for watercolor and you are the best. I love that you talk through the whole process. I learn so much listening and watching. Also love your discussion about products, very helpful. I have never liked cold press paper, but didn’t know there were options. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’ve watched SO many videos and the artists either painted so fast that I knew I wasn’t experienced enough to keep up with or they painted so slow that I knew I wouldn’t have the patience. I can’t put my finger on what it different with your technique, but watching you made painting slowly feel very relaxing. For the first time in a long time, I can’t wait to get my paints out.
I love your channel, i would love if you could do a tour of your pallet and share what colours you have or most use. I have recently begun my carrer as a botanical/wildlife illustrator and i want to expand my understanding of colours especially green shades. Thank you if you decided to do so. x
Hello Gianluca, that's a lovely idea. It would also be a whole lot easier to do than the step by steps. I'll give it some thought. I love when people give me suggestions of what to make films of, it often turns out to be topics I would never have thought of. Palette and colours. Ill see what I can do. Thanks!
My goodness! Your artistic style is delicious!! I love the crisp and clean edges and especially like your technique starting with the darker tones first.
I totally love watching and listening to you. I subscribed quite while ago now and keep coming back to re-watch older videos like this one but always eager to see any new videos you have made. You definitely are unique and i love that. Looking forward to more of your videos soon i hope. I love your quirkyness Lizzy Harper.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Your work is stunning and the attention to detail is impressive. The mini botany lesson mixed with your dry humor were an added bonus.
I love your style of painting. I like to paint the same way and everyone else load water first. I guess that’s a different style or technique. I have also realized I need to slow down and get patience. It really pays off.
Yes, exactly. And I do think doing what works for you is always the best idea. Look at other approaches, but don't feel you're doing it "wrong"; different is certainly not the same as wrong! X
and there around 40min you said exactaly what i'm struggling wtih. Decide what will look best on the painting and not copying the flower exactly. I have such a long way to go. Sometimes it's fun, other times plain frustraiting. The last couple flowers have been just nightmares for me. If you're able to incorporate all the shadows in this small zinnia, i'm just awful if I'm stuggling through a daisy!!!
You are NOT awful. its like everything. It takes practice. A light touch. And less self-flagellation! I have the same miseries and I've been doing this stuff day in day out for 30 years. Sometimes I just thing "oh for goodness sake, who do I think I'm kidding? Just get a job as a supermarket checkout person and stop kidding yourself". We all have good art days and bad art days. I think with the daisies, dont' get too involved in the detail of the central disc florets. look for the overall visual theme. There may be a slight concentric circle within the yellow central area. Plot that in, But don't get too tangles up in every disk floret. Sometimes less can be more. Work on the shadows on the edge of the capitulum (the orange bit) rather than on what's going on inside it. Then it'll stay clearer. And please don't lose heart. the very fact that you're taking it on, wrestling with it, feeling frustration and asking questions is testament to the fact that you're learning and working at learning. More self congratulation, please! XXX
Fantastic video, I really learned a lot. I'm at the beginning of my botanical watercolour journey and I appreciate the focus on the realness of your videos, like you're in my living room! 😀
Robynne, that's great to hear. I hope you enjoy paintng botanical subjects, it's such a lovely thing to get into to, and so rewarding - the ore you do, the better you get"! Thanks for your kind comments about my films. X Lizzie
Thank you so much for your time and effort to show us such an educational video. I really enjoyed watching you paint, but also listening to you - love your kind of humour and your rather "loose" approach to art, I really like that. I'm happy that I found your channel today!
This is a beautiful painting and drawing, but I unfortunately can't understand much of what you are saying. Maybe its the accent : ( or the sound or mumbling while you are painting???? Very nice work !!!
Hi Al, and I'm sorry for that. Yes, I have realised over the last few months that when I concentrate really hard as I paint, I do mumble a bit. it's something I aim to be aware of as I make films in the future, but thank you for pointing it out, it's great to have constructive feedback. As for the accent, alas, there's not a lot I can do about that! Thanks for the comment, and the flattery!
I am no where near your ability yet. I really appreciate your attention to details. Botanicals are my best area of painting subjects. As much as I would love to paint portraits.... I'm not giving up though. Please keep making your videos I appreciate them so much, they are so helpful to me.
Hi Tonya, you may not be an expert yet, but every time you lift a paintbrush you'll be getting better and better. It's the best of positive feedback loops! Do it more, get better at it, enjoy it more so do it even more often...etc. I'm glad you like my films, that's lovely to hear. And keep going! X
@@LizzieHarperillustrator thank you so much for for your response. It is so encouraging to me to hear that from you. Your films are wonderful and I certainly will be watching.... and drawing and painting 🎨
Hi Tash, that's good to know. I do worry that I'm mis-educating a whole swathe of aspiring illustrators, but to me it does seem to make things so much easier! Glad it helps.
buena artista...pero blabla y yo nada de inglés...que Dios le dé mucho dinero a los que hacen arte...y dinero para todos los humanos...y que los políticos no puedan tocar el dinero robado...hmmm q karma
Gracias. Me disculpo, sé que es un problema que toda la conversación esté en inglés. ¡No muy inclusivo! Pero gracias por tu buen karma y amables comentarios. (Traductor de Google)x
Unfortunately I had to watch the video on mute, but I must say I really enjoyed seeing you upside-down near the end. Really put a genuine smile in my face :) and of course, finding your acknowledgement on the description haha I definitely plan on returning and watch it with sound, although the image alone was already very pleasing. Thank you!
To be honest, it was probably better without the sound; Im not convinced my ramblings add much of value! Oh I know, the technical side of all this stuff is clearly not my strong point! If it's not editing myself in upside down, it's getting hair under the camera, or focussing on a sprig of leaves instead of the drawing. Honestly. But Im glad you liked the film, even in its "silent film" mode. x
I think the first step is the hardest. Once the plant is plotted on the page, things get easier. You could try marking up the page, very lightly. So even use a pair of compasses if it helps, to get a sizing guide there. or just free-hand draw rough shapes before going in for the detail. It IS difficult, please dont feel disheartened. When you see people just picking up a pencil and drawing it right, its only cause theyve been doing it for years and years. Drawing is so like learning a foreign language, the more often you do it the mroe natural and fluid it ends up feeling. But youre right to pinpoint the earliest part of the drawing process as a real challenge. i agree.
Absolutely beautiful. What a talent you have - from the drawing to the painting. I would like to ask you, if you draw a flower but the petal curves curves away from the others down wards how do you draw it? I am trying to do flowers bit find that the most difficult to draw and paint.
Hmm. Interesting. The same is true for leaves, the twist is tricky. You could made a model of the petal out of paper and draw the shapes and shadows made as you move the "petal" into different positions, and use these sketches for reference. Maybe take a photo of the flower and trace it, learning how to represent the curve with line. Then apply that to your work. A lot is down to the light and dark. Darks are deepest right where the ttwist happens, and are darker if the petals above cast a shadow on the petal. Ill try to remember to include a petal like this next time I do a composite flower, its a good idea. Yours Lizzie
I appreciate the great tutorial on painting techniques for botanicals, but I got cross-eyed from the horrible out of focus filming. But I do really like the informative and casual style of teaching all of the details of painting.
Hiya Bizzy. I know, I am far from the best of film makers. Were i ever to make paid-for content I'd be sure to hire someone who can film properly! What with getting hair or plants under the camera, mumbling, and troubles with focus, it's almost like I'm proving what an amateur film-maker I am! The filming is done on my phone which seems to do auto-focus. When I next upgrade, Ill ask for one which is better at filming, I think. thanks for the constructive feedback, and kind comments about my approach and my illustrations.
hi Lizzie. lately i’m interested in botanical paintings and i was wondering what Winsor and Newton colors you mostly use for flowers? thank you for sharing your knowledge here. it means a lot for me as a beginner 💕🌸
Hi Dita, I have a full watercolour box. For greens I mostly use cobalt green, sap green, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, vandyke brown, winsor blue, coablat blue, and purple. Colour wise it's everything! A dark and a light yellow, opera rose, alizarin crimson and cadmium orange dark for red ones, cobalt blue cerulean blue and a greenish blue like winsor blue. Just a full paintbox with a good mix, I guess. Maybe I should do a swift tour of the paintbox one day...? Thanks for the query.
LOVE it.. yes you are quite funny, one contact lense in and the other one out. If I would do that with -13,5 I will get a migraine in just a few minutes.
It does make me feel a little peculiar, to be sure. I tend to do that mostly when painting teeny things like moss. As you say, being dreadfully short sighted (like you, I'm at the -10 - 13 scale) can be a problem! Although without lenses in it truly is better than a magnifying glass...
Art Conservator here with a note about your comment on fading of colors when framing your artworks. Frame using ULTRAVIOLET FILTERING PLEXIGLASS instead of glass and make sure to use a buffered matt and buffered back board. Nothing should be in direct contact with the artwork (painting). The UV Filtering plexi helps avoid the fading process. Also be smart and do not hang close to windows or strong lights. I so enjoy watching your creative process! It helps me in my work.
Mary, this is excellent advice. When making these films, I need to try to remember to mention this to people. When I frame, the use of ph neutral archive mount and UV filtering glass is obvious, but I bet loads of people have no idea how you can limit the chances of framed work fading. Also, even with these excellent precautions, some pigments are horribly fugitive (especially the pinks). Including mention of this when I do the films would be a really good and useful addition. Thanks. And thanks for the comment! x
Thanks for the tip, I certainly don't meant for the table to shake, it's a bit tricky filming with my phone and illustrating at the same time. but thankyou, it's useful knowing what to look out for and what to try to avoid when filming. x
Lol.....absolutely love your videos.....but please please put a headband on when you start painting. My eyesight is as bad as yours and when the hair make an appearance my eyes go out of focus and I do not see anything.
I've gone one better, I've had a properly short haircut! Now I need to learn not to hold the specimen under the camera, and then maybe we'll get somewhere! Thanks so much for your comment...and your patience! x
Yes, correct, alas. Shop around, some series are far less fugitive than other brands. I thin St Petersburg is pretty Lightfast, and Sennelier, but check on their websites. Its annoying, isnt it? Framing behind UV glass can help, but I think the problem relates to interractions with oxygen as well as light.... saying that, the fading will only occur after 25 to 50 years and may be much slower.
Hiya Rachel, Layering of paint is really hard. Also, some papers are rubbish with layers, picking up colour from the layer below and making a muddy puddle. Use a hot press watercolour paper, if you're not doing so already. I like Fluid 100 and Stonehenge aqua. The other thing is to make sure the under layer is totally dry, like, not even damp, before starting on the next layer. And keep the top wash layers pretty pale, when you're putting layers on top of the paint below. Allow the paint below to glow through, the top layers are almost like a clear varnish with a colour tint. Do this by making the watercolour mix really wet and dilute. Another tip is to not scrub or mess with the picture too much. Ideally, you want to swiftly put that top wet layer over your dry detailed layer in one fluid movement; definitely not moving the brush back and forth too much. That'd disturb the fibres of the paper and lift the pigment from the layer(s) below. But the main thing is not to feel discouraged! Keep giving it a go! You will crack it eventually. And if not, then there's every chance that another watercolour technique might suit you better. Just cause one approach doesn't work for you doesn't reflect badly on you or your abilities; it's like finding a perfect mug for drinking tea from - everyone has different favourites that they love and feel comfortable with. It's the same with watercolour techniques. Don't be disheartened! And thanks for the comment. X
Hiya. Yes, I do if I have to. But its harder cause you cant move the plant around to see the angles and details. My latest film, on painting grasses ruclips.net/video/OljJzsOCq_g/видео.html talks about how I go about working from reference rather than plants. And if you DO work from a photo, you need to be careful not to infringe anyone's copyright, and to not perpetuate mistakes that might be in a photo. I wrote a blog about this a while back: lizzieharper.co.uk/2015/07/botanical-illustration-working-from-photo-reference/ which might help. thanks for the question Lizzie
Sorry about that, I know. It was an early film when I hadn't quite sorted the technology out! There are other films where all you can see is my hair, not what I'm painting....ah the joys of having all the gear but no idea! Thanks for your comment. x
I love your brush so much but I'm vegan and the one you use is made from animal hair. Do you have a close alternate to this brush that doesn't use animal hair at all? Really love your brush. Thank you xx
Ah Rebecca, Youve tapped into a long-going quest that I share. There are several films I've made trying to find a good alternative, and some of the synthetics are really close. But I'm yet to find THE perfect alternative. However, my best reccommendation would be the Rosemary Brushes Designer Red Dot series. Give them a go, theyre a close second to actual sable and, as we know, a whole lot kinder. Thanks for asking! x
You are god sent!!! Thank you sooooo much. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for how much I learnt from just watching this one video! THANK YOU😊
You are a master of your art form lady!!! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring. You have helped me better understand shadows in a mere 15 min!! Your pretty much awesome.
Anna, that's great to hear. And isn't that the best thing, that no matter how much you know or how much experience you have, there's still lots more to learn. I find watching other illustrators at work so refreshing, and educational too!
Hi Mark, this is true, and interesting. Since making the illustration I've learnt to add further layers of top washes to try and deepen the colour. Often with botanical illustration you have to strike a balance between keeping detail apparent and capturing the glowing deep colours of a plant. Too much body colour and the whole piece looks flat, too little and it's a pastel version of reality. I can totally see your point in this instance, and agree more body wash would take us a step closer to the real colours. Thanks for your comment.
I would have liked to have seen a more vibrant pink wash over the entire petals which I feel would have given the petals a more saturated pink color like the actual petals. The demo petals looked much paler than the saturated color of the actual petals.
Glad you saw the video through to the end, and that I answered your comment. I agree, emulating the full vibrancy of nature is super-tough and I absolutley don't always manage it. Sometimes goof enough has to be just that, although I'm always looking around to see how other illustrators tackle that (and other) challenges. Thanks for the perceptive comment.
Hi Ana, yeah, I get that. So I try to mix up talking about what I do with stuff about the flower itself. A lot of what you do is the same thing over and over again; in the case of the Ziniia it's outlining the petals in a darker pink, making a paler tint of that colour by adding water, covering the petal with this wash (except for your highlights which you leave as white paper), then mixing an even paler pink (by adding mroe water) and putting that over the whole lot. You need to let the paint dry fully between each layer. Final touch is to mix up a dark pink and pick out the deepest shadows. My blogs give a written description of this process for various plants I've illustred; it;s always basically the same approach: lizzieharper.co.uk/category/botanical-illustration-step-by-step/. Have a browse and see if that helps make it clearer. Thanks for your comment! x
Hi Darla I understand the concern. Thing is, with hot press paper (well with mine at least - Stonehenge Aqua and Fluid 100), if you let the darks dry fully before returning to the painting, they don't run. Sometimes the problems is just the opposite, it'd be good to have a little lenienacy and an option to blend coming from the shadows as you're putting a wash on top of them! But once the bottom layer is dry, those darks running into light areas doesn't seem to be a problem. But I totally understand the logic of your comment, and it would make sense if they DID much more than they do! Thanks x
I just found your videos while looking for guidance on this kind of illustration ❤️ I look forward to learning more! I like your painting method and I think I might try it out :)
I'm so glad! And do give it a go, even if it doesnt work out it'll be a new approach and worth adding to the proverbial, "bag of tricks". Thanks for the comment. x
I have always wanted to do this sooo badly... I have been obsessed with edible and herbal plants and I want to make a book.. now i just have to learn to draw well
All you need to do is start drawing...then keep going! Learning to draw and paint is like any other skill - you just need to put in the hours to get better. Just like learning a new language. Get started by buying yourself a decent sketchbook with paper that takes pencil, ink, and watercolour. Then set aside a couple of hours a week and just pick a flower or leaf, and draw what you see, rather than what you THINK is there. "Drawing on the Right side of the brain" by Betty Edwards is a great help with some excellent excersizes in it. The hardest bit is finding the time to do it, I know from talking to other people who draw and paint, but not for a living. It just ties in with making time for yourself, and taking your desires and ambitions seriously. But I'm trying to get better at french, and even finding 10 mins a day is sooo tough! Hope you get to write and illustrate that book some day, it sounds like a beautiful project. x
Hi! 😃 At 36:14 the color you can't remember the name of looks like Burnt Sienna. Also, just to help - the Quinacrodone is pronounced k•win•ack•crow•doan (rhymes with own, yet starting with a 'd' but is NOT down. A quick way we say it is kwin and then the color-->Quin Magenta or Quin Gold, etc. Please know I mean no disrespect nor am I meaning any condescension towards you. I give this with full respect to you! You have such a beautiful gift and we are very blessed to have you so generously share it with us all! Btw, if you already know this [since this video was published way back in 2020]😏 Thank you! God Bless 😃
Hi Denise, bet you're right about the sienna. I really should keep tabs on my colours. And the hint on how to say Quinn magenta is a God send. It always catches me out as I try to nonchalantly name check it mid painting, and now I have it written out phonetically. Which is GREAT! Absolutely no need to apologise, you've been so very helpful! Thank you. X
Noted! In fact, I now have much shorter hair. I should've thought of a hair net instead of cutting off all my hair! But it was a pain for a long time. Glad you liked the film.
I just wanna say this is why art has its own value beyond ages because all the artist did do their brilliant job and passion that money can’t buy, this is a masterpiece
What a lovely thing to say. And youre right, a lot of it is to do with having massive passion for what we illustrate. Im so pleased that shines through. thanks.
Amazing artist. Many botanical books use Lizzie as an illustrator Her skill is superb and her relaxed way of teaching is both inspiring and informative. . So enjoyable to know lots of people will now
Develop their work through these great tutorials. I am wonderfully clumsy so appreciate her very much. THANKYOU
Oh my goodness Karol, thank you so much! That's a real vote of confidence. Yes, i do hope that these films make botanical illustration entirely accessible to anyone who fancies having a go, and I'm so pleased you like my approach and films. Thanks you. x
I really love your real time videos. My art teacher retired, and I miss being in the studio creating together. This is the next best thing during this pandemic. You are performing a valuable service. Thank you so, so much!
You are so welcome! What a lovely thing to say. x
Lizzie, you are a breath of fresh air! How do I say this...I think you are hilarious but I mean that in a really good way. Maybe it’s more that you are so unpolished and real. Any less-than-perfect technical issues in the video are more than forgiven because you are so giving in the process! I feel that, as you are demonstrating, you are sharing a completely unedited of your internal dialog with us. And on top of it all, you are so very talented at what you do. Thank you so much! I will be looking at and learning from your other videos. Please keep them coming and don’t change a thing! I’m a retired graphic designer/teacher with an art background but I’m not familiar with the botanical art process. It’s a new area of interest to me and I’ve been looking at a lot of resources online and otherwise. You are my favorite!
...and you flatter me enormously! But I'm very glad to hear such lovely and positive things. I really do appreciate it. It's all rather embarrassing, but in the best possible way. And yes, as and when I get the chance I assuredly WILL keep the films coming. Hopefully a little more in focus and with rather less hair under the camera...
You had me burst laughing at the sudden confession of licking the brush... Love the unedited and spontaneous nature of the video. I usually watch videos of the kind at x2 speed, but here I enjoyed every second. Thank you so much, it's fun to watch and very inspirational.
Glad you enjoyed it! And what a lovely message, Im so glad you liked it!
An hour watercolor class for free!! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure 😊
Awesome 👍🎉❤️🎋
Love this video, makes really sense and not pretentious. I also love your humor and I can sense humility. :)
I appreciate that! I'm relieved I don't come across as pretentious, not sure my family would agree! And as with anything, you've got to laugh at yourself, right, specially when you mess things up... Glad you liked the video, and thank you for such a nice comment. x
Lizzie love love love you and your work! I’m going to Google search you to see if you have books or online classes or anything! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your skills and talents with us. I’ve been looking for someone with a certain style and found you and I am so happy!
Hi Julie, no books or online classes as yet, but a whole slew of step by step blogs. The teaching really is a side line, so it's less consistent than would be ideal. I do bits between paid jobs, there's just so very much paid work on right now! It's great, but the idea of online classes etc does end up suffering.... Thanks for such a lovely comment. x
i love that you work dark to light and yes i did notice the truth, you start in the mid tones ;) . i came to watercolors from acrylic and have struggled with the concept of building layers to get the darker areas. i also noticed you start off very dry and then progressively get the petals wetter to blend the colors as you go. this is a prime example of why i fallow so many different artists with different styles. you are perhaps the fifth artist i have added to my watching list and everyone has something done differently from the others. all of it wonderful and some of it feels natural and some challenges me to try but it always inspires me to keep painting and trying new things.
Hi Silversong, what a perceptive comment. I've recently been listening to talks by a range of Botanical artists, hosted by Julia Trickey: www.juliatrickey.co.uk/talks.html and these have been exactly as you describe. Amazing people with stunning skill sets, and all doing things slightly differently. I've learnt loads about colour matching, showing transparency, and balancing cool and warm shadows; just by listening in. And you're wise to collect different approaches from different illustrators, it's such a good way of extending your "tool kit". Glad my methods are a part of this, and yes, I do indeed go from dry brush to wetter and wetter brush. When I next get round to making another film Ill have to point that out! Thanks for your comment, and enjoy the transition from acrylic to watercolour.
x
Lizzie: "Oh, quit rotating, you wretched flower."
Me: I think I'm going to enjoy this.
But they DO rotate! And wither! Drives me mad. Hope you enjoyed it x
@@LizzieHarperillustrator [giggling wretched flowers gaily/simultaneously rotating and withering expressly to drive Lizzie mad]
You're one of my favourite botanical artists! I love watching you work.
That's very flattering. thanks you so much!
Zinnia flower 30/3/23
Watercolour tutorial; 😂Botanical illustration
I think I just learned more from this one video than 2 years of online courses with Anna Mason! TYSM!
My goodness what a wonderful accolade! I really appreciate that. Anna Mason creates such beautiful work, she's a great source of knowledge. Glad you liked my film. x
I come from an oil painting background where we work dark to light. THANK YOU for showing that its okay to do the same here, light to dark has always been such a challenge for me!
You are so welcome! It's not traditional to do it this way, but Im not clever enough to balance all that visual info in my head if I do it the other way around! Well done trialling watercolours, coming from an oil background. Ive always been terrified of oils! Well done. x
My goodness! Aren’t you just a hoot & a half! Love LOVE what you’re doing here with the gorgeous underrated Zinnia. I have been obsessed with botanical art since a wee child, I don’t know why, I just have always loved it & of course amazed at the artistry. I’m slowly learning & getting into painting in general, but this video is just screaming at me to AT LEAST get back to my botanical colouring water colour pad my mother gave me. It has a light printed pencil line & as you imagine you can paint over it just like you’re doing here. .... The way you work dark first is instinctively how I started with water colour so I understand your process & WOW your results are proof that there is no right way or wrong way to paint. You’ve breathed LIFE into that flower and subsequently into ME! I want to get back to that botanical pad I mentioned & I will continue to enjoy your videos. Thankyou so much🙏☺️🙋 From Aus ☮️💟
Oh what a fabulolus message! I am so pleased that me doing my thing has helped inspire you to get back to doing your thing, too! That's the best possible result, thank you. And thanks for the message. Enjoy your painting!
Wow - what painstaking attention to detail. Beautifully done. Hope you didn't feel dizzy hanging upside down there at the end!😊
Oh the joys of being a thoroughly amateur film maker! Upside down or right way up, as long as I'm painting vivid pinks, I'm a happy lady! Thanks for the comment. x
I've been following you for a while on instagram, such a joy to listen to you!
Thanks Stephanie, and thankyou for being such a lovely and loyal person! I appreciate it. x
Just recently found out I had cadmium poisoning because like you as a child, I licked my brush. Not enough to kill me, but it is an issue of heavy metal poisoning in the brain!
Love your work. Writing from Alaska ❤
Ohhhhhh. Trish Lee, that doesn't sound fun! I hope you're ok. You're the first person I've heard of who has had this, nothing else made me even thin about trying to stop sucking my brushes....but you just have. Hoping it's not had too much of an impact on you. And thanks for the warning! Yours Lizzie
I have only just recently found your channel and may I tell you that you are absolutely amazing!! I am a New Hampshire (US) gal who, at 65 years young, has begun painting again after almost 30 years. You are such an inspiration. I find each and every video that I have been so fortunate to have seen, each one more mesmerizing than the last. In addition to your incredible talent, you are a phenomenal teacher. Your honesty and your sense of humor are such a breath of fresh air. I feel so very fortunate to be one of your newest subscribers!
Deborah, what a lovely comment to get! Thank you. I am so glad my films work for you, it's lovely to hear such cheerful and flattering feedback. If it gets you to feel more confident about your return to art, then Ive succeeded. So lovely to have you along, and thanks for subscribing!
Gorgeous to learn from a master. I've always wanted to know how these illustrations were done. Delicate as fine etching.
Thank you so much 😀 Anyone can do it, it's just a matter of having the time to hone your skills. Thanks for the comment.
A revelation! Thank you for sharing your technique, I’ve learnt sooo much! Thank you!
the most talented and funniest flower painter in utub ... amazing ... geniuses come in many forms ... she is beyond words
Rodolfo, I LOVE that you think I'm funny! I find myself really annoying. But what a kind thing to say, and I'm so glad you like the film! x
I totally agree .. I love her energy & being herself. It’s very human & you feel a connection .. let alone inspiration✨🤩🙋
"What are you going to do? Cry into your milk?" Best quote of all time. Thank you for the thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Glad you enjoyed it! Im known for mangling my metaphors....xx
Actually, it was fascinating to hear your explanation of the Zinnia. I had no idea that each petal was actually a flower!
Glad it was helpful! x
Each petal is NOT a flower. Sorry to tell you
Potato/potato about the petals. I agree with Rachel Walton about the added info. I love the botany lesson. Gives you so much more insight in the beauty of the flower.
buildahome is correct. The yellow parts you named a stamens are in fact the flowers. The "petals" are called ray florets.
@@labellaflora.... You are totally right. There are ray florets and disk florets. I need to be much more careful when I do the botany bits - it#s easy to be unclear when I witter on and paint simultaneously, but I'd hate to be giving out wrong information, which in this case I have done. Thanks for clarifying my ramblings! Note to self: Botany bit needs to be done without a paintbruish in my hand so I can be sure to get it right. Thanks labellaflora and thanks buildahome too. xx
God bless you 🙏 Ms. Harper. I am a super beginner watercolourist and watching your detailed explanations was the best class I could have had. I found your video quite by chance and I am delighted and thankful🌈💕💖🌈
My absolute pleasure, Moinca. Comments like yours convince me that it's worth doing these films. Even if I do sometimes post bits of them upside down!
Just found your work and am inspired and fascinated with your process. I have always worked from reference photographs and on cold-press paper, but just placed an order based on your recommendations and will go out and buy some fresh flowers to work from once it arrives! Until then will catch up on your other content...
Hi Nikki, exciting! Yes, I hope youll love the much crisper edges you can get with Hot press. How exciting! X
Brilliant! Thanks for showing us the techniques you employ.
My absolute pleasure. Thanks for taking the time to watch!
I love watching her! She teaches botanical paintings so well! I have a botany based degree and I love doing drawings and now I’m doing painting bc of her! I also want to create Lizzie a color chart for her paints!!!! Lol!
Hey Ashley
Lovely to hear from you. Im so glad your embracing your love for botany in a way that gets you drawing and painting, how excellent! its such a good way to learn flowers, I find. And you are SOOO right about me needing a colour chart. Actually, not even a colour chart. I just need to start from scratch with my pans and actually know and remember the name of each paint, instead of saying, "oh, its the 3rd blue on the left, next to the brown colour!" which isnt useful for anyone who doesnt have my exact paintbox!
Thanks for the comment and have a great day
X
I just found your video. It's been an absolute pleasure watching you. I've painted lots of florals but not with the approach of a trained botanical artist. I am more accustomed to utilizing wet-in-wet approaches to allow for smooth blending, so it's really fascinating to watch a completely different attack on painting, which what I see in your work is very precise, small wet-on-dry brush marks. It's almost like your paint brush is a pencil or marker, instead.
You gave me a lot of laughs in watching you tackle all the same problems all watercolorists have - adding too much blue to your mix, smudging your paint by putting your hand on a wet spot, experiencing paint blooms, etc. Thanks for reminding us that even experts have the same challenges novices do.
Hi Kelly
Yes, that's exactly right. I use the brush a bit like a marker or pencil, then the wet washes bring it all together. Its not the traditional way of doing botanical illustration, though. That's more to do with layers of wet washes, getting darker and more detailed as you progress. Which sounds like what you're already used to. Ive watched splendid illustrators like Julia Trickey using this approach and it's wonderful. I come at it back to front, sort of. But Im really glad you like the videas and are interested in giving my method a go. Let me knwo how you get on, and I hope it works for you.
Yours
Lizzie
Your patience and experience in painting is refreshing to find on RUclips
Aww thanks, Kayla!
Thank you so so much... I have been trying to learn botanicals since so long.. but no one has uploaded such detailed video on botanical with tips and tricks.. thanks a ton really I thank you with all my heart... keep uploading more such videos.. lots of love from India 🙏
This is such a lovely comment, I really appreciate it. I think other illustrators like Anna Mason and Julia Trickey do real time films too, but it's comments like this that help inspire me to do more real-time step by steps. Its lovely to hear such positive feedback, thank you.
@@LizzieHarperillustrator was so sweet of you.. 🤗
I have popped around to different sites for watercolor and you are the best. I love that you talk through the whole process. I learn so much listening and watching. Also love your discussion about products, very helpful. I have never liked cold press paper, but didn’t know there were options. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are so welcome! And so glad to be helpful. You're going to LOVE hotpress paper, so smooth!
Querida mestre Lizzie obrigada por compartilhar seu conhecimento. Amo você.
Very beautiful 😘
🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
You are a remarkable artist. It was a joy to watch you.
What a lovely comment. Thank you.
I know I’m late to this. I just happened upon your tutorial. WOW! How refreshing to see how you approach things!
I'm so glad! Thank you for such lovely feedback
Gifted 🤩👏🏻
Thank you for sharing your talent and style with us. What a treat!!! ❤🌷🌿
You are so welcome!
I’ve watched SO many videos and the artists either painted so fast that I knew I wasn’t experienced enough to keep up with or they painted so slow that I knew I wouldn’t have the patience.
I can’t put my finger on what it different with your technique, but watching you made painting slowly feel very relaxing. For the first time in a long time, I can’t wait to get my paints out.
Thanks for this. Like I said to your other comment, this is the best possible thing for me to hear. I love it. x
I love your channel, i would love if you could do a tour of your pallet and share what colours you have or most use. I have recently begun my carrer as a botanical/wildlife illustrator and i want to expand my understanding of colours especially green shades. Thank you if you decided to do so. x
Hello Gianluca, that's a lovely idea. It would also be a whole lot easier to do than the step by steps. I'll give it some thought. I love when people give me suggestions of what to make films of, it often turns out to be topics I would never have thought of. Palette and colours. Ill see what I can do. Thanks!
Lizzie Harper thank you x
My goodness! Your artistic style is delicious!! I love the crisp and clean edges and especially like your technique starting with the darker tones first.
Thank you so much!! I find it much easier than building up layers of softer colour washes. Glad you like it x
Ms.Lizzie , Thanks for detailed video. Close up of the video helps a lot to catch those techniques.🙏🙏🙏
You’re welcome 😊
This is incredible.
Thanks so much Geraldine!
You are amazing,one of the old school style of painters...so talented,a very rare thing this day and age..thank you.
You are very welcome. What a lovely comment to read at the start of a new working week. Thank you so much.
I'm trying this painting 😘😘😘
OOh! Let me know how you get on!
¡¡¡BELLÍSIMA demostración!!!
Muchas gracias por compartir su conocimiento.
Saludos desde Costa Rica.
Muchas Gracias!
I totally love watching and listening to you. I subscribed quite while ago now and keep coming back to re-watch older videos like this one but always eager to see any new videos you have made. You definitely are unique and i love that. Looking forward to more of your videos soon i hope. I love your quirkyness Lizzy Harper.
Aww, thanks E!
Alguien más está aquí por una tarea de arte ? Pues yo si jajaja
Wow! That’s beautifully illustrated Lizzie and. I love it! ☺️❤️
Hi and I’m #20.2k+☺️👋🏻
Have a nice day.🙏🏻
Hiya, Im so pleased you like the film. Pink flowers are just too much fun to work on.
Amazing tutorial! I was looking for something detailed like this and here you have it. Much appreciated xx
Glad it was helpful!
Loved this tutorial. The tip about working from mid to light to dark will really help as I struggle with working from light to dark
Glad it was helpful! Hope it works for you, its simplified my life massively!
I fell off my chair at the end there
with the upside down video.....HAHAHAA
WHILE you looks so serious.
Oh you know me. Im TERRIBLY serious. Even when Im upside down!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Your work is stunning and the attention to detail is impressive. The mini botany lesson mixed with your dry humor were an added bonus.
You are so welcome, and thanks for such a lovely comment. x
I love your style of painting.
I like to paint the same way and everyone else load water first. I guess that’s a different style or technique.
I have also realized I need to slow down and get patience. It really pays off.
Yes, exactly. And I do think doing what works for you is always the best idea. Look at other approaches, but don't feel you're doing it "wrong"; different is certainly not the same as wrong! X
Thank you. Very beautiful work. Blessings
You are so welcome
I really enjoyed the process @Lizzie☺️❤️❤️
So glad to hear this!
Amazingly well described. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
and there around 40min you said exactaly what i'm struggling wtih. Decide what will look best on the painting and not copying the flower exactly. I have such a long way to go. Sometimes it's fun, other times plain frustraiting. The last couple flowers have been just nightmares for me. If you're able to incorporate all the shadows in this small zinnia, i'm just awful if I'm stuggling through a daisy!!!
You are NOT awful. its like everything. It takes practice. A light touch. And less self-flagellation! I have the same miseries and I've been doing this stuff day in day out for 30 years. Sometimes I just thing "oh for goodness sake, who do I think I'm kidding? Just get a job as a supermarket checkout person and stop kidding yourself". We all have good art days and bad art days. I think with the daisies, dont' get too involved in the detail of the central disc florets. look for the overall visual theme. There may be a slight concentric circle within the yellow central area. Plot that in, But don't get too tangles up in every disk floret. Sometimes less can be more. Work on the shadows on the edge of the capitulum (the orange bit) rather than on what's going on inside it. Then it'll stay clearer. And please don't lose heart. the very fact that you're taking it on, wrestling with it, feeling frustration and asking questions is testament to the fact that you're learning and working at learning. More self congratulation, please! XXX
Fantastic video, I really learned a lot. I'm at the beginning of my botanical watercolour journey and I appreciate the focus on the realness of your videos, like you're in my living room! 😀
Robynne, that's great to hear. I hope you enjoy paintng botanical subjects, it's such a lovely thing to get into to, and so rewarding - the ore you do, the better you get"! Thanks for your kind comments about my films.
X Lizzie
How is your journey going ? I’m starting mine now 😊
I LOVE how you talk to yourself while doing things! :-) Thanks for this video
Glad you liked it!!
Thank you so much for your time and effort to show us such an educational video. I really enjoyed watching you paint, but also listening to you - love your kind of humour and your rather "loose" approach to art, I really like that. I'm happy that I found your channel today!
You are so welcome! Thanks so much, and I'm so glad you like the film, and my ramblings.
Thank you ..hope you can do more and maybe daisy..I don't find it hard to draw but to paint...like your example if you are willing..thanks
Great suggestion, a Daisy. Ill give it some though. Thanks.
This is a beautiful painting and drawing, but I unfortunately can't understand much of what you are saying. Maybe its the accent : ( or the sound or mumbling while you are painting???? Very nice work !!!
Hi Al, and I'm sorry for that. Yes, I have realised over the last few months that when I concentrate really hard as I paint, I do mumble a bit. it's something I aim to be aware of as I make films in the future, but thank you for pointing it out, it's great to have constructive feedback. As for the accent, alas, there's not a lot I can do about that! Thanks for the comment, and the flattery!
I am no where near your ability yet. I really appreciate your attention to details. Botanicals are my best area of painting subjects. As much as I would love to paint portraits.... I'm not giving up though. Please keep making your videos I appreciate them so much, they are so helpful to me.
Hi Tonya, you may not be an expert yet, but every time you lift a paintbrush you'll be getting better and better. It's the best of positive feedback loops! Do it more, get better at it, enjoy it more so do it even more often...etc. I'm glad you like my films, that's lovely to hear. And keep going! X
@@LizzieHarperillustrator thank you so much for for your response. It is so encouraging to me to hear that from you. Your films are wonderful and I certainly will be watching.... and drawing and painting 🎨
wonderful work and great to see your techniques - i find it much easier to work using your method rather than light to dark.
Hi Tash, that's good to know. I do worry that I'm mis-educating a whole swathe of aspiring illustrators, but to me it does seem to make things so much easier! Glad it helps.
buena artista...pero blabla y yo nada de inglés...que Dios le dé mucho dinero a los que hacen arte...y dinero para todos los humanos...y que los políticos no puedan tocar el dinero robado...hmmm q karma
Gracias. Me disculpo, sé que es un problema que toda la conversación esté en inglés. ¡No muy inclusivo! Pero gracias por tu buen karma y amables comentarios.
(Traductor de Google)x
I Loved and enyoid so much waching the tutorial,you are very pasiently,thank you so much😍
I'm so glad you liked it. And believe me, with other parts of my life I am NOT a patient person! Thanks for a lovely comment.
Unfortunately I had to watch the video on mute, but I must say I really enjoyed seeing you upside-down near the end. Really put a genuine smile in my face :) and of course, finding your acknowledgement on the description haha
I definitely plan on returning and watch it with sound, although the image alone was already very pleasing.
Thank you!
To be honest, it was probably better without the sound; Im not convinced my ramblings add much of value! Oh I know, the technical side of all this stuff is clearly not my strong point! If it's not editing myself in upside down, it's getting hair under the camera, or focussing on a sprig of leaves instead of the drawing. Honestly. But Im glad you liked the film, even in its "silent film" mode. x
I have the hardest time drawing my flower and bringing the sizing the petals correctly
I think the first step is the hardest. Once the plant is plotted on the page, things get easier. You could try marking up the page, very lightly. So even use a pair of compasses if it helps, to get a sizing guide there. or just free-hand draw rough shapes before going in for the detail. It IS difficult, please dont feel disheartened. When you see people just picking up a pencil and drawing it right, its only cause theyve been doing it for years and years. Drawing is so like learning a foreign language, the more often you do it the mroe natural and fluid it ends up feeling. But youre right to pinpoint the earliest part of the drawing process as a real challenge. i agree.
Absolutely beautiful. What a talent you have - from the drawing to the painting.
I would like to ask you, if you draw a flower but the petal curves curves away from the others down wards how do you draw it? I am trying to do flowers bit find that the most difficult to draw and paint.
Hmm. Interesting. The same is true for leaves, the twist is tricky. You could made a model of the petal out of paper and draw the shapes and shadows made as you move the "petal" into different positions, and use these sketches for reference. Maybe take a photo of the flower and trace it, learning how to represent the curve with line. Then apply that to your work. A lot is down to the light and dark. Darks are deepest right where the ttwist happens, and are darker if the petals above cast a shadow on the petal. Ill try to remember to include a petal like this next time I do a composite flower, its a good idea.
Yours Lizzie
I appreciate the great tutorial on painting techniques for botanicals, but I got cross-eyed from the horrible out of focus filming. But I do really like the informative and casual style of teaching all of the details of painting.
Hiya Bizzy. I know, I am far from the best of film makers. Were i ever to make paid-for content I'd be sure to hire someone who can film properly! What with getting hair or plants under the camera, mumbling, and troubles with focus, it's almost like I'm proving what an amateur film-maker I am! The filming is done on my phone which seems to do auto-focus. When I next upgrade, Ill ask for one which is better at filming, I think. thanks for the constructive feedback, and kind comments about my approach and my illustrations.
hi Lizzie. lately i’m interested in botanical paintings and i was wondering what Winsor and Newton colors you mostly use for flowers? thank you for sharing your knowledge here. it means a lot for me as a beginner 💕🌸
Hi Dita, I have a full watercolour box. For greens I mostly use cobalt green, sap green, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, vandyke brown, winsor blue, coablat blue, and purple. Colour wise it's everything! A dark and a light yellow, opera rose, alizarin crimson and cadmium orange dark for red ones, cobalt blue cerulean blue and a greenish blue like winsor blue. Just a full paintbox with a good mix, I guess. Maybe I should do a swift tour of the paintbox one day...? Thanks for the query.
LOVE it.. yes you are quite funny, one contact lense in and the other one out. If I would do that with -13,5 I will get a migraine in just a few minutes.
It does make me feel a little peculiar, to be sure. I tend to do that mostly when painting teeny things like moss. As you say, being dreadfully short sighted (like you, I'm at the -10 - 13 scale) can be a problem! Although without lenses in it truly is better than a magnifying glass...
Art Conservator here with a note about your comment on fading of colors when framing your artworks. Frame using ULTRAVIOLET FILTERING PLEXIGLASS instead of glass and make sure to use a buffered matt and buffered back board. Nothing should be in direct contact with the artwork (painting). The UV Filtering plexi helps avoid the fading process. Also be smart and do not hang close to windows or strong lights. I so enjoy watching your creative process! It helps me in my work.
Mary, this is excellent advice. When making these films, I need to try to remember to mention this to people. When I frame, the use of ph neutral archive mount and UV filtering glass is obvious, but I bet loads of people have no idea how you can limit the chances of framed work fading. Also, even with these excellent precautions, some pigments are horribly fugitive (especially the pinks). Including mention of this when I do the films would be a really good and useful addition. Thanks. And thanks for the comment! x
Lovely you paint very well, please don’t shake the work surface so much when we are concentrating on your painting . Thanks
Thanks for the tip, I certainly don't meant for the table to shake, it's a bit tricky filming with my phone and illustrating at the same time. but thankyou, it's useful knowing what to look out for and what to try to avoid when filming. x
Lol.....absolutely love your videos.....but please please put a headband on when you start painting. My eyesight is as bad as yours and when the hair make an appearance my eyes go out of focus and I do not see anything.
I've gone one better, I've had a properly short haircut! Now I need to learn not to hold the specimen under the camera, and then maybe we'll get somewhere! Thanks so much for your comment...and your patience! x
I don't know why but my tablet keeps changing your name sorry.
Technology. Its MEANT to help us.... xx
Beautiful work. Did I hear you correctly? Opera rose will fade? Is there anything you do to preserve the color to keep it from fading ?
Yes, correct, alas. Shop around, some series are far less fugitive than other brands. I thin St Petersburg is pretty Lightfast, and Sennelier, but check on their websites. Its annoying, isnt it? Framing behind UV glass can help, but I think the problem relates to interractions with oxygen as well as light.... saying that, the fading will only occur after 25 to 50 years and may be much slower.
I'm having such a hart time layering. It's like i just can't or my brain doesn't get it. Anyone else having trouble here?
Hiya Rachel,
Layering of paint is really hard. Also, some papers are rubbish with layers, picking up colour from the layer below and making a muddy puddle. Use a hot press watercolour paper, if you're not doing so already. I like Fluid 100 and Stonehenge aqua.
The other thing is to make sure the under layer is totally dry, like, not even damp, before starting on the next layer.
And keep the top wash layers pretty pale, when you're putting layers on top of the paint below. Allow the paint below to glow through, the top layers are almost like a clear varnish with a colour tint. Do this by making the watercolour mix really wet and dilute.
Another tip is to not scrub or mess with the picture too much. Ideally, you want to swiftly put that top wet layer over your dry detailed layer in one fluid movement; definitely not moving the brush back and forth too much. That'd disturb the fibres of the paper and lift the pigment from the layer(s) below.
But the main thing is not to feel discouraged! Keep giving it a go! You will crack it eventually. And if not, then there's every chance that another watercolour technique might suit you better. Just cause one approach doesn't work for you doesn't reflect badly on you or your abilities; it's like finding a perfect mug for drinking tea from - everyone has different favourites that they love and feel comfortable with. It's the same with watercolour techniques. Don't be disheartened! And thanks for the comment. X
Do you ever paint straight from photos? I have learned so much from your tutorials. Loving this so much. You are great.
Hiya. Yes, I do if I have to. But its harder cause you cant move the plant around to see the angles and details. My latest film, on painting grasses ruclips.net/video/OljJzsOCq_g/видео.html talks about how I go about working from reference rather than plants. And if you DO work from a photo, you need to be careful not to infringe anyone's copyright, and to not perpetuate mistakes that might be in a photo. I wrote a blog about this a while back: lizzieharper.co.uk/2015/07/botanical-illustration-working-from-photo-reference/ which might help.
thanks for the question
Lizzie
Your reality artist Madam...👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thankyou so much!
Beautiful work, great information. Just a note you were upside down for bit.
Sorry about that, I know. It was an early film when I hadn't quite sorted the technology out! There are other films where all you can see is my hair, not what I'm painting....ah the joys of having all the gear but no idea! Thanks for your comment. x
I love your brush so much but I'm vegan and the one you use is made from animal hair. Do you have a close alternate to this brush that doesn't use animal hair at all? Really love your brush. Thank you xx
Ah Rebecca, Youve tapped into a long-going quest that I share. There are several films I've made trying to find a good alternative, and some of the synthetics are really close. But I'm yet to find THE perfect alternative. However, my best reccommendation would be the Rosemary Brushes Designer Red Dot series. Give them a go, theyre a close second to actual sable and, as we know, a whole lot kinder. Thanks for asking! x
So Beautiful...
Many many thanks
You are god sent!!! Thank you sooooo much. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for how much I learnt from just watching this one video! THANK YOU😊
Wow! Thank you! You're wonderfully easy to please, but I'm so glad to be of use! x
You are a master of your art form lady!!! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring. You have helped me better understand shadows in a mere 15 min!! Your pretty much awesome.
Wow, thank you!
You are an inspiration! I have done some of this sort of work but I have much to learn from you.
Anna, that's great to hear. And isn't that the best thing, that no matter how much you know or how much experience you have, there's still lots more to learn. I find watching other illustrators at work so refreshing, and educational too!
The painting doesn't resemble the dark colour of the real thing at all. :D
Hi Mark, this is true, and interesting. Since making the illustration I've learnt to add further layers of top washes to try and deepen the colour. Often with botanical illustration you have to strike a balance between keeping detail apparent and capturing the glowing deep colours of a plant. Too much body colour and the whole piece looks flat, too little and it's a pastel version of reality. I can totally see your point in this instance, and agree more body wash would take us a step closer to the real colours. Thanks for your comment.
I would have liked to have seen a more vibrant pink wash over the entire petals which I feel would have given the petals a more saturated pink color like the actual petals. The demo petals looked much paler than the saturated color of the actual petals.
Glad you saw the video through to the end, and that I answered your comment. I agree, emulating the full vibrancy of nature is super-tough and I absolutley don't always manage it. Sometimes goof enough has to be just that, although I'm always looking around to see how other illustrators tackle that (and other) challenges. Thanks for the perceptive comment.
The way you mix your colors is incredible. It's such a joy to watch you paint, thank you so much for sharing
Thank you so much, I love mixing up a good green 😀
Fantástic saludos cordiales desde Lima Perú
Gracias!
Could u explain the process it will be very useful. Instead th stories
Hi Ana, yeah, I get that. So I try to mix up talking about what I do with stuff about the flower itself. A lot of what you do is the same thing over and over again; in the case of the Ziniia it's outlining the petals in a darker pink, making a paler tint of that colour by adding water, covering the petal with this wash (except for your highlights which you leave as white paper), then mixing an even paler pink (by adding mroe water) and putting that over the whole lot. You need to let the paint dry fully between each layer. Final touch is to mix up a dark pink and pick out the deepest shadows. My blogs give a written description of this process for various plants I've illustred; it;s always basically the same approach: lizzieharper.co.uk/category/botanical-illustration-step-by-step/. Have a browse and see if that helps make it clearer. Thanks for your comment! x
I am a little skeptical of putting the darks down first. It's an invitation to getting runs you don't want, dark paint areas into lighter ones.
Hi Darla
I understand the concern. Thing is, with hot press paper (well with mine at least - Stonehenge Aqua and Fluid 100), if you let the darks dry fully before returning to the painting, they don't run. Sometimes the problems is just the opposite, it'd be good to have a little lenienacy and an option to blend coming from the shadows as you're putting a wash on top of them! But once the bottom layer is dry, those darks running into light areas doesn't seem to be a problem. But I totally understand the logic of your comment, and it would make sense if they DID much more than they do! Thanks x
I just found your videos while looking for guidance on this kind of illustration ❤️ I look forward to learning more! I like your painting method and I think I might try it out :)
I'm so glad! And do give it a go, even if it doesnt work out it'll be a new approach and worth adding to the proverbial, "bag of tricks". Thanks for the comment. x
I have always wanted to do this sooo badly... I have been obsessed with edible and herbal plants and I want to make a book.. now i just have to learn to draw well
All you need to do is start drawing...then keep going! Learning to draw and paint is like any other skill - you just need to put in the hours to get better. Just like learning a new language. Get started by buying yourself a decent sketchbook with paper that takes pencil, ink, and watercolour. Then set aside a couple of hours a week and just pick a flower or leaf, and draw what you see, rather than what you THINK is there. "Drawing on the Right side of the brain" by Betty Edwards is a great help with some excellent excersizes in it. The hardest bit is finding the time to do it, I know from talking to other people who draw and paint, but not for a living. It just ties in with making time for yourself, and taking your desires and ambitions seriously. But I'm trying to get better at french, and even finding 10 mins a day is sooo tough! Hope you get to write and illustrate that book some day, it sounds like a beautiful project. x
Hi! 😃
At 36:14 the color you can't remember the name of looks like Burnt Sienna.
Also, just to help - the Quinacrodone is pronounced k•win•ack•crow•doan (rhymes with own, yet starting with a 'd' but is NOT down. A quick way we say it is kwin and then the color-->Quin Magenta or Quin Gold, etc. Please know I mean no disrespect nor am I meaning any condescension towards you. I give this with full respect to you! You have such a beautiful gift and we are very blessed to have you so generously share it with us all! Btw, if you already know this [since this video was published way back in 2020]😏
Thank you! God Bless 😃
Hi Denise, bet you're right about the sienna. I really should keep tabs on my colours. And the hint on how to say Quinn magenta is a God send. It always catches me out as I try to nonchalantly name check it mid painting, and now I have it written out phonetically. Which is GREAT! Absolutely no need to apologise, you've been so very helpful! Thank you. X
@@LizzieHarperillustrator Thank you for your kind words! I'm so happy it helped🙂
Really beautiful and so incredibly inspiring! I really love your detailed step-by-step demonstrations ! Thanks a lot!
You are so welcome, Im really glad you enjoyed it!
Great video. Need a hair net to avoid your hair in the picture. A little distraction.
Noted! In fact, I now have much shorter hair. I should've thought of a hair net instead of cutting off all my hair! But it was a pain for a long time. Glad you liked the film.
Just started tuning in to a few of your videos. I’m really enjoying them. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us.
Welcome aboard, and thanks so much for watching them. Im glad you like them.
Thank you very much ma'am for such a nice tutorial video which I really wanted and luckily found yours video really helpful 🙏
My absolute pleasure 😊 xx